Posted on 07/28/2006 5:26:02 PM PDT by Wolfstar
PRESIDENTIAL NEWS OF THE DAY: British Prime Minister Tony Blair met with President Bush today at the White House to discuss the Middle East crisis. Here is a link to the White House transcript of their press conference.
President Bush later directed Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to return to the Middle East to deliver a joint British-U.S. proposal to the governments of Israel and Lebanon. Here's a link to the Yahoo/AFP story.
On a lighter note, in his capacity as ceremonial head of state, President Bush welcomed the Big Brother and Big Sister of the Year to the Oval Office. He also met the 2006 Boys and Girls Nation delegates in the East Room of the White House. The Boys and Girls Nation, sponsored by the American Legion, meet annually in Washington, D.C. to gain practical insight into the operation of the Federal Government.
For American Idol fans, Friday was a big day. This year's AI top 10 finalists met the President in the Oval Office. Two former AI winners, Ruben Studdard and Carrie Underwood, have performed for the President and Mrs. Bush in the past, but this is the first time the current season's winner and other nine finalists were invited to meet the President in the Oval Office.
Here's an excerpt from the item about the visit on FoxNews.com. (Click hear to read entire article.)
WASHINGTON — President Bush was able to cast his worries aside Friday. 'American Idol' runner-up Katharine McPhee was well enough to keep her scheduled Oval Office appointment.McPhee sang to the commander in chief Friday, along with other Top 10 finalists from last season.
McPhee recovered from a nasty bout of bronchitis and laryngitis just in time for her audience with Bush, said Eric Green, a publicist with the FOX network program.
McPhee, champion Taylor Hicks and the other Top 10 'Idols' in the group were the first contestants from the hit show to be invited to the White House. They posed for photos with the country's head honcho.
First and foremost, he came into elective politics somewhat late in his life. Nothing prior to the time he first ran for governor prepared him for public speaking at a high level. Considering all that he's accomplished, it's remarkable to pause and realize GWB was first elected governor on November 8, 1994, less than 12 years ago.Secondly, it's the timber and cadence of his voice. Rather than being full and mellifluous, it's somewhat dry, clipped and twangy. The twang sometimes seems to get caught in the back of his throat, giving a slight whine to his voice. (I don't mean whine in the emotional sense here, but tonality.) His cadence is frequently, though not always monotone. Especially when he's tired, he often slips into a sing-song cadence.
Thirdly, GWB clearly doesn't enjoy public speaking, and he's not a natural at it. His personal style is plain, blunt and direct, not given to soaring rhetoric. It's the antithesis of the qualities one wants in a public speaker.
His natural style was never more clearly seen -- and never more effective -- than when he stood on that ruined fire truck atop the still-smouldering pile at Ground Zero in NYC and said, "I can hear you. The rest of the world hears you, and the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon."
He's at his best when he's fresh and well-rested -- and also when he connects emotionally with the subject at hand.
Yet, despite his natural discomfort with public speaking, GWB has given some of the most significant and, yes, beautiful speeches by any U.S. president. My personal favorite is his first Inaugural Address, January 20, 2001. Here's a link for those who may enjoy re-reading it. To my mind, its haunting, prophetic beauty has rarely been matched in American history. Read President Bush's words again -- and remember the storm that began on a sunny September morning just seven and one-half months after he spoke them:
After the Declaration of Independence was signed, Virginia statesman John Page wrote to Thomas Jefferson: "We know the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong. Do you not think an angel rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm?"Much time has passed since Jefferson arrived for his inauguration. The years and changes accumulate. But the themes of this day he would know: our nation's grand story of courage and its simple dream of dignity.
We are not this story's Author, who fills time and eternity with His purpose. Yet His purpose is achieved in our duty, and our duty is fulfilled in service to one another.
Never tiring, never yielding, never finishing, we renew that purpose today, to make our country more just and generous, to affirm the dignity of our lives and every life.
This work continues. This story goes on. And an angel still rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm.
Hi.
Pinging you to the Friday Dose.
Greetings
Wonderful treat to be here so early.
Have a good weekend, everyone.
knew i wouldn't get in the top 10 tonight!!!
Don't know what McPhee was laughing about in this shot.
Top ten? :)
The President welcomes Elliot Yamin, one of the top 10 American Idol finalists, who arrived late to the Oval Office. The President, usually a stickler for keeping to his schedule, didn't seem to mind.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.